Gov't launches UK Council for Child Internet Safety

A new internet watchdog which aims to teach kids the dangers of the web has been launched.

Watchdog to work with Facebook and Microsoft

By
Carrie-Ann Skinner
| 29 Sep 2008

A new internet watchdog which aims to teach kids the dangers of the web has been launched.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) will also work with social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace and technology firms including Microsoft and Google to identify and remove harmful content from the web. It is also establishing a code of conduct for sites that allow users to upload their own content and creating a public awareness campaign regarding safety on the net.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the launch as a "landmark" in child protection.

"The challenge for us is to make sure young people can use the internet safely and do so with the minimum of restrictions but the maximum of opportunities. Just as we would not allow them to go out unsupervised in playgrounds or in youth clubs or in swimming pools, so we must put in place the measures we need to keep our children safe online," he said.

Comments

David Gerard - 00:52 01-10-2008

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has hailed the launch of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety as a "path-breaking" new diversion designed to protect the most vulnerable members of society: "The politicians."

The Council was formed based on recommendations from television psychologist Dr Tanya Byron's report Gi's A Consultancy Go On Gi's It. "The UK is a world leader on internet safety for children, and I look forward to collecting a truly spectacular ongoing income stream."